Dogfight in the Desert

BR> Dogfight in the Desert

KStateFans.com

by Connor Riley

Tempe, Arizona ---In the longest game in Fiesta Bowl History, it came down to a drive- the final drive. In a game that saw every bit of drama and suspense both on and off the field- it was the defending National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes that escaped with a victory 35-28. In an absolute dogfight that saw huge momentum shifts as the #7 Buckeyes squared off against the #8 Kansas State Wildcats- the Cats did everything but win in the end. All the pieces were in place for a staged come from behind victory for the Wildcats but tonight, in the desert, the Buckeyes were able to sustain the late KSU charge to become the first Bowl Champions of 2004.

Early in the game it was all Ohio State as they came storming out of the gate to go up by as many as 21 points at one time. Starting at quarterback despite charges of sexual assault, Ell Roberson played his final game in the Purple and White and looked dazed and confused at times as he attempted to get the offense jumpstarted. Going 3 for 13 early on, Ell could not find his groove and he looked to be visibly unable to connect with is receivers move the ball. For the game. Ell went 20 of 52 passes for 294 yards, one interception and 32 yards on the ground. That however is not the telling stat. What Ell did do was bring the Cats back from the brink of blowout and deficits of 21-0 right before the half and then 35-14 to within a pass of tying the game up and taking it to overtime.

The Buckeyes struck first at the 6:41 mark of the first quarter as their John Hollins slipped past Cat defenders to block a punt and run it in for the first touchdown of the game. Less then fours minutes later the Buckeyes were at it again as Craig Krentzel hooked up with Santonio Holmes on a 6 yard pass and the Buckeyes were suddenly up 14 points.

At this point of the game it looked as if the defending champs were going to make quick work of the Wildcats as their defense was much quicker then perhaps at anytime this year. The running game for the Cats was grounded and seemed off track as again and again Darren Sproles attempted early to run it outside only to be tracked down for little to no gain. As the final gun sounded Darren Sproles, the nation’s leading yardage rusher was able to only grind out 38 yards on 13 attempts going up against the nations #1 rush defense.

Going to the air, the Cat wide receivers appeared to be completely on another page as Ell and Polite attempted to hook up numerous times for naught. To add to the domination early, the Buckeyes scored again on a 17 yards strike to Michael Jenkins at 6:49 of the second quarter…and then it happened.

That spark. The spark actually that announced to the Buckeyes that this was not going to be a runaway and the Cats had indeed come to play. Ell took over and his senior leadership came alive as he orchestrated a 70 yard drive to finally put the Cats on the board. First Ell took it himself for a nice little scamper for 11 yards right up the gut. Then a couple runs to keep the Buckeye defense honest and to the air the Cats went. After dropping a couple passes early, Polite hauled in a 31 yard catch to the Buckeye 41 to set up the score. Less then a minute later Darren Sproles punched in 6 yard run to put the Cats within 14 heading into the half and striking distance. This drive set the stage for the second half.

In the second half the Cats looked to have finally shaken off the hangover and come alive. Although the Buckeyes were able to again notch a 14 point quarter, the Cats played them much closer and appeared to have regained their composure and confidence. Ell started the quarter with a 14 yards score to put the Cats within a touchdown of the Buckeyes. This score created a stir among the Wildcats before the Buckeyes were able to produce two touchdowns and steal momentum back. These were the last points the defending champs would score in the game.

Heading into the fourth quarter down 35-14, it was the Senior field general Ell Roberson who took control of the offense making big plays and much needed first downs. Taking the Cats down the field 63 yards, Ayo Saba plunged left from three yards out to make it 35-21. And so the stage was set. Roberson rode his hot arm as he managed to find Davin Davis for a huge pickup of 24 yards to the OSU 15.

After a face masking penalty, Ell kept the ball on a QB sneak putting the Cats within a touchdown and the score read OSU 35- KSU 28. Looking into the stands I saw roughly 45 to 50 thousand of the Purple Horde as they cheered on their Wildcats and I was proud. I saw a Senior QB who had faced adversity, stared is straight in the eye and did not blink. I saw a Coach with his first Big 12 Championship under his belt as he looked steely eyed upon his players and nodded his head. I saw a defense that had left it all out on the field and was visibly tired. I saw our The Lynch Mob give all they could and hold a very high powered attack to zero points in the fourth quarter.

I looked up and saw 2:47 seconds on the clock and I believed. I believed that it could happen and Coach ordered up the onside kick. Give or take off sides this game might have turned out different. As it is however, the Cats jumped off sides and although recovered the first onside kick, the Buckeyes recover the second. And with 1:11left to play in the game, the Lynch Mob again held the OSU offense and MVP Senior Craig Krentzel to three and out and gave the ball back to Ell.

90 Yards stood between the Cats and overtime. In yet another clutch play, Ell again went to the air and found Davin Davis on a critical 2 and 15 to keep the drive alive. The very next play, Ell again connected for a big gain with true freshman Jermaine Moreira for another 25 yards good for ANOTHER WILDCAT FIRST DOWN!!!!!

With almost no time left on the clock and facing 4th and 9 from the OSU 48 yard line, Ell heaved his last play as a Wildcat down the field before it was harmlessly batted aside at the two yard line. And that was the game but it was not tonight’s story.

Many Wildcat Seniors played their final game for the Purple and White and they played with heart and the played with pride. Everything that could be left on the field was. Tonight the Cats ran out of a time in their first ever BCS Bowl- but certainly not their last. The season ended much like it began with a lot of promise for the future and a game that saw the Cats fight tooth and nail against the Defending National Champs. A lot of barriers were reached this season and a lot of goals were met as well as made. Tonight was a game of Herculean effort that almost saw the Wildcats overcome a three touchdown deficit in a dogfight in the desert. Thanks for all the memories. Every Man a Wildcat!